Norwich's infamous native son on Sept. 20 made what has become an annual return of sorts to his hometown.

Activities outside the Leffingwell House Museum included Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom receiving the "heroic leg" of Benedict Arnold, the one he gave in fighting against the British before he became a traitor to the American cause during the Revolutionary War. The replica booted leg, presented this year in a small casket, is usually saved during a burning in effigy of Arnold held in September by members of the Flock Theatre in New London.

Theater member Eric Michaelian says the burning ceremony didn't take place this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but he was the one to present the "leg' to Norwich's mayor.

"We gratefully participate with (the Flock Theatre) each year. It's our honor to receive the good part of Arnold," said Nystrom.

Arnold was shot in his left leg twice while fighting for the colonies in battles in Quebec, and in Saratoga, N.Y., and is considered by many historians to have been one of the best field generals in the Continental Army before he defected to the British.

He led Loyalist militias in the burning of New London during the Battle of Groton Heights in 1781.

"This isn't a celebration of Arnold," said Dayne Rugh, president of the Society of the Founders of Norwich, which runs the Leffingwell Museum. The leg presentation and other activities is education.

"We want people to learn why Arnold made the decisions he made, and to prevent future Benedict Arnolds."

He says his group has received some push-back from those who think the event honors a traitor.

"Like it or not, Norwich is stuck with the legacy of Arnold," says Rugh.

Benedict Arnold re-enactor Kevin Titus appeared in period garb, offering two separate presentations regarding the colonial and British tenure of the military general. Re-enactors of George and Martha Washington were also on hand. Other activities included vendors demonstrating colonial-era firearms, crafts, and other memorabilia.

Members of the Second Continental Regiment of Artillery provided cannon fire demonstrations.

Among those attending the ceremony was 11-year-old Coby Jones of Norwich. The seventh grader was dressed in a colonial military uniform, and is a self-proclaimed aficionado of Revolutionary War history, an interest he developed after hearing the soundtrack to the rap musical "Hamilton."

He admits many of his classmates don't share his love of history, noting when he mentions an important historical date, "They say, 'Yeah, we don't care.'"

The museum, which had been opened in previous years for the Benedict Arnold event, was closed this year due to the pandemic, with all activities held outside.

Kevin Gorden lives in Norwich.